Shingle



Dec. 16, 1941. w. s. MILLER SHINGLE Filed July so, 1941 Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE snmcu:

William S. Miller, Pittston, Pa. Application July so, 1941, Serial No. 404,101

4 Claims. (01. 108-'l) The present invention relates to shingles.

More particularly, the invention relates to flexible shingles of the interlocking type adapted for laying in successive courses with the Shingles of each succeeding course individually interlocked with corresponding shingles of the preceding course.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of interlocking flexible shingles embodying head and shank portions in T-formation and wherein the interlock is eflected within such portions thereby avoiding the use of relatively weak projections which tend to break off as well as to cause wrinkles in a covering provided thereby, such, for example, as disclosed in the patent to Abraham, 2,050,218, August 4, 1936.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible shingle of T-form, embodying head and shank portions together with slits in the shank portion for providing an interlock between one shingle and two adjacent shingles, and the head and shank portions being so relatively proportioned in dimensions as to assure quick, easy, and accurate assembly of the shingles in the laying of same.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a shingle of the above-noted general character which is capable of being cut from strip or sheet material with maximum economy and with minimum eflort.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a shingle of the above-noted general character which is highly simple in construction, relatively cheap in construction, and which is capable of providing a covering of maximum eiliciency with a minimum of effort and time.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear upon reference to the accom anyin drawing, wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a shingle constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the shingle shown in Fig. l, the thickness being exaggerated for clarity of showing;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of an assembly of several courses of the shingles which are shown on a scale reduced to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view disclosing in particular the manner of assembling a course of shingles with those of a preceding course: and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a strip of flexible material disclosing the manner in which the improved shingles may be cut therefrom.

1 dimensions as to facilitate cutting of the shingles from sheet material 8 with maximum simplicity and without waste of material as is indicated in Fig. 5. from which it will be seen that the shingles are capable of being cut by straight transverse and longitudinal lines only.

The specific dimensions of these two portions further provide for accurate and expeditious laying of the shingles as well as providing an eifective covering when laid. 1

Upon reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the vertical width or depth of the ,,'l iea'cl and shank portions d and e are equal whereby the shingles are capable of being cut as indicated in Fig.

The shank I2 is provided with a pair of cuts or slits ll extending obliquely toward the free end of the shank and from opposite sides thereof, thereby providing interlocking tabs t. The} distance D between the closed or adjacentijends of the slits II is equal to twice the distance c of overhang of the head II for reasons later referred to and the closed ends of the slits are located a distance a from the free end of the shank which equals the distance 1 of head overlap and the slits extend inwardly from the opposite sides of the shank a distance I which is the amount of shank overlap of one course of shingles with the heads of a preceding course.

Fig. 3 illustrates several successive courses of the shingles III in asesmbled position with the shanks of the first row (except the right hand sningle) cut oil in line with the full length shanks of the second row to provide a straight covering edge, as at the lower edge of a roof.

In laying the. improved shingles as illustrated in Fig. 3, the first course is laid with their heads ii in vertical contact throughout the full width thereof whereupon nails or other fastening devices n are driven through the heads adjacent the lower corners thereof.

The second course of shingles is then individually assembled by inserting the tabs t beneath the foreshortened ends of the shanks I 2 of the first course and drawing the shingles upwardly until the upper edges of the tabs t adjacent the closed ends of the slits engage the heads I I at the point p and as the distance 0 Referring ew in detail to the drawing, It determines the head overlap l the heads ll of of shingles they will be individually applied as indicated in Fig. 4 by inserting the tabs t beneath the oblique lower ends of the overlapping shank margins and drawing the shingles upwardly until the upper edges of the tabs engage the heads of the preceding course at the points 1) and as each succeeding course is laid nails n will be inserted adjacent the lower corners of the heads which due to the aforesaid overlap will also penetrate the heads of the preceding course adjacent the tops thereof.

With this specific construction the assembled shingles provide a head overlap as indicated at l and a shank head overlap as indicated at I thereby providing a covering maximum efficiency.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that the improved shingles in accordance with this invention embody interlocking features provided by the slits l3 within the bodies of the shanks l2 thereby avoiding projecting tabs which not only are liable to be broken oil during transportation, but since the tabs t are within the'body portions of the shanks they ofier substantial resistance to being broken ofl or deformed upon drawing the shingles into assembled position and by making the distance b equal to twice that of c or equal to the distance between adjacent edges of two assembled shingles the succeeding courses are capable of being laid quickly, easily, and with maximum precision, it being essential only that the adjacent vertical edges of the heads ll accurately abut in the laying of the first course of shingles.

The slits I3 may be out prior to or after the stamping of the shingles from the sheet material by any desired means.

As will be seen upon inspection of Fig. 3, the assembled shingles provide a covering of artistic appearance as well as one in which the shingles have sufi'icient overlap to provide effective protection against the weather elements, and furthermore the unique manner of assembly provides a covering which is not subject to wrinkling as is the case with previously proposed shingle constructions embodying tabs projecting from the edges of the body portions thereof.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. 8..

Letters Patent is:

1. An interlocking flexible shingle of T-shape comprising a rectangular head portion and a rectangular shank portion of narrower width than the head portion, the length of the head and shank portions being equal and a slit in each side edge of the shank portion adjacent the free end thereof and extending obliquely toward such free end.

2. An interlocking flexible shingle of T-shape comprising a rectangular head portion and a rectangular shank portion with the head portion projecting equally from opposite sides of the shank portion, and a slit extending inwardly from each side edge of the shank portion adjacent the free end thereof, the distance between the adjacent ends of the slits being equal to the combined length of projection of the head portion from opposite sides of the shank portion.

3. A surface covering comprising interlocked flexible shingles, said shingles each being of T-shape and comprising a rectangular head portion and a rectangular shank portion with the head portion projecting equal distances beyond opposed edges of the shank portion, the shingles being arranged in successive courses with the head portions in horizontal alinement in each course and with their ends in contact throughout the widths of the head portions, the shank portions each having inwardly directed slits in its opposed edges for receiving the adjacent edges of the shank portions of a pair of shingles in a preceding course, the slits defining tabs disposed beneath said adjacent edges and contacting the head portions of a preceding course for aligning the shingles of each successive course thereof.

4. A surface covering according to claim 3 wherein said slits extend obliquely towards the free ends of the shank portions and wherein the engagement between the tabs and head portions is at the inner ends of the slits and the angles between the head and shank portions.

WILLIAM S. MILLER. 

